New News about ACW members

We are so pleased to announce the literary successes of our members. Keep up the good work, and if ACW can help you on your literary journey in any way, as always, just let us know.

IN THE NEWS:

New Podcast. On Saturdays there is a weekly half-hour Blog Podcast called "The Adirondack Book House" Hosted by author Pete Klein, it will be a chance for writers, book sellers and readers to call in and discuss their books and the books and authors they have read. Call ins are FREE. Klein says, "Feel free to use this opportunity to promote your books, store and library events." Visit www.blogtalkradio.com/The-Dancing-Valkyrie

This From ACW member, Kate Messner:
My second historical novel for middle grade kids, CHAMPLAIN & THE SILENT ONE, will be published by North Country Books next fall. CHAMPLAIN & THE SILENT ONE tells the story of a Montagnais Indian boy who is one of Samuel de Champlain's guides on his voyage from Quebec to Lake Champlain to encounter the Iroquois. The fall release will mean that CHAMPLAIN & THE SILENT ONE is available in plenty of time to help New York and Vermont celebrate the Quadricentennial -- the 400th anniversary of Champlain's voyage.
For those of you with a special interest in Benedict Arnold, there's a new middle grade book about this controversial figure in American history. Jim Murphy's book THE REAL BENEDICT ARNOLD looks at the man behind the label of "traitor" in an eye-opening biography. Teachers, in particular, may find this book useful as a companion to SPITFIRE. I reviewed Murphy's book on my blog at the link below: http://kmessner.livejournal.com/27503.html
One more reminder for teachers and librarians -- My website has the free SPITFIRE study guide as well as information about school visits and presentations.

Paul Pines’ memoir, My Brother's Madness (Curbstone, October 2007) has received several rave reviews. To read some of them, follow the links below: Visit http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=1&realattid=f_fb2kww5w1&attid=0.2&disp=vah&view=att&th=1174b894aa250423 and http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=1&realattid=f_fb2kx23v2&attid=0.3&disp=vah&view=att&th=1174b894aa250423

M.E. Kemp won fourth prize in the 2007 Deadly Ink Press short story contest for her short story, "Death in a Dutch Village." Kemp is the author of the new historical mystery book, Death of a Dutch Uncle, which is set in Albany, Saratoga and the Adirondacks in the Colonial Dutch era. She used her research from the book to create a short story set in New Jersey (a NJ setting was a requirement for the contest).

ACW member, Andy Flynn acquires historic Meet the Town publication. The local author/publisher recently acquired the historic publication of Meet the Town, which has been in the DeMattos family for 38 years and in print since the Calvin Coolidge administration.
Andy Flynn, owner/operator of Hungry Bear Publishing and author of the history-based “Adirondack Attic” newspaper column and book series, has purchased Meet the Town with his wife, Dawn, from Jacques and Alice DeMattos, of Saranac Lake.
Meet the Town is an annual booklet that gives residents and visitors a snapshot of information about a specific community, including services, recreational opportunities, events, institutions, attractions, entertainment, sports activities and health-related services. The two editions – Saranac Lake and Lake Placid/Wilmington – are distributed by local businesses and public facilities.

RECENTLY PUBLISHED:
Luke S. Webster's first novel, The Dust of Man, was published by Lulu.com in April of 2007. Webster's book is about his seven years of volunteer EMS work with the Lyons Falls Fire Dept., in Lyons Falls, NY. Full of drama, light humor, and true stories to keep you awake at night, you'll find it impossible to put it down. The book is available online at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, LULU.com, and local stores in Lewis County, NY.

Hope Irvin Marston’s thirtieth book, Against the Tide: The Valor of Margaret Wilson, was published last summer by P & R Publishing. This historical novel is based on the life of a Scots teen living in the troublesome 17th century when allegiance to the King was demanded above allegiance to one’s faith in Jesus Christ. Although the book is part of a YA Series called Chosen Daughters, it’s being read and lauded by both men and women. My Little Book of Manatees,the seventh title in My Little Book Collection (Windward Publishing), was released in late October. Hope’s books are available in local bookstores, online and from her website. . www.HopeIrvinMarston.com

Roselyn Elliott’s first poetry chapbook, The Separation of Kin, won Blueline's first Chapbook Award in 2006 and was published by Blueline.
-Her second poetry chapbook; At the Center, was a semifinalist in the New Women's Voices Competition at Finishing Line Press and is to be released Feb.15, 2008. The book is in advance sales now with free shipping if ordered before January 18, 2008 at www.finishinglinepress.com. The focus of the new chapbook is on the caregiving/nursing experience and is dedicated to her classmates in The Class of '66 (of the House of the Good Samaritan School of Nursing in Watertown).

Mary Cuffe has two announcements: Story Quilt: Poems of a Place, published April, 2007, is a book of narrative poetry written by the people of the small rural community of Galway, NY. The book is rich and warm with many voices and images, each poem representing a “patch” of the quilt that is the town’s unique heritage. The book is the result of a one of a kind project, the Story Quilt, sponsored by the Galway Public Library. The project, which was winner of the 2007 Joseph F. Shubert Award for Library Excellence from the NYS Library, brought the entire community together in a cross-generational sharing of experiences and is a model for other communities. The book is available from the Galway Public Library (882-6385).

and
Skylar is a children’s novel (ages: 9 – 12) of the very eventful and comic misadventure of five fat pond geese who attempt their first migration. Along the way, the geese learn what it is to be a flock and discover within themselves "the way" -- that mysterious, powerful force that enables geese and other birds to navigate the ancient migratory routes of the earth. Published by Philomel Books, a division of the Penguin Group, in March, 2008. Mary Cuffe Perez is also the author of The Woman of Too Many Days (Calyx Press).

Harry Groome's first novel, Wing Walking, was published by Connelly Press. Groome's short stories have received several awards and have appeared in multiple anthologies and journals. His book is available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Caperton Tissot's recent book, History between the Lines, Women's Lives and Saranac Lake Customs, was published by Graphics North in Jay, NY. This history is "a fresh approach to recording a village culture. This photo-enriched book is based on oral histories." Book is available through www.snowyowlpress.com

Stephanie Coyne DeGhett's latest book of poetry, No Longer Any Place But Here, was published by Finishing Line Press. Stephanie Coyne DeGhett is a poet and fiction writer whose work has appeared in The New England Review, Poem, The Fiddlehead, and elsewhere. She teaches at SUNY Potsdam and is an editor of Blueline. Order her new book online at www.finishinglinepress.com.

Carol Graser's latest book, The Wild Twist of Their Stems, was published by FootHill Publishing. Graser's poetry has appeared in many literary and local arts publications, and she performs at many poetry venues across the state. Order her latest book online at www.foothillspublishing.com

Thomas M. Schneeberger's children's book Magnum's Homecoming was published by Snow Mountain Children's Books. The book was "inspired by the real life events of a beagle who was lost in the Adirondacks in the winter of 2005."

Michael Virtanen's Within a Forest Dark, An Adirondack Tale of Love and Suspicion was recently published by Lost Pond Press. Michael Virtanen "is a veteran journalist whose articles on the Adirondacks and other topics have appeared in Adirondack Life and Adirondack Explorer." His latest book should be in a number of stores within a week. It is also available online at www.lostpondpress.com.

Kate Messner’s debut novel Spitfire has been released from North Country Books. Spitfire is a middle grade historical novel set on Lake Champlain during the American Revolution.

Spitfire tells the story of Abigail Smith, an orphan girl who disguises herself as a boy to fight on a gunboat as part of America’s first navy. She meets 12-year-old Pascal de Angelis, a real historical figure who was a documented crew member in the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain. When the British ships arrive to fight, the two young people forge a fast friendship, and both grow up more quickly than they could have imagined.

Roger Mitchell had his ninth book of poetry published this year. HALF/MASK (University of Akron Press, January 2007) is available Mitchell's web site: www.rogermitchellpoet.com or on Amazon.com.

Ruth Lamb's new memoir, At the End of the Road: Reflections on Life in an Adirondack Valley, is now available. Featuring the adventures, wild neighbors, and home-making challenges as she and her husband take early retirement where they are the only year-round human residents. Cover painting by Bolton summer resident Nancy Rogal, and chapter drawings by Sally Strasser of Glens Falls. Lamb also includes a section of her own color photographs.

Jeffrey G. Kelly's third novel in his Adirondack adventure trilogy is now available. Stuck On Twelve, is set in Whitehall, NY, where the main character, Wallace Klocks, makes his last stand. The 21 Mine, Adirondack Heist, and Stuck On Twelve are published by Creative Bloc Press in Saratoga and distributed by North Country Books in Utica, NY - at $14.95 apiece. (Kelly was the editor of Adirondack Life magazine for four years.)

Anne White's Secrets Dark and Deep, the fourth book in her Lake George Mystery Series, was published in May by Hilliard and Harris, and is now available in area bookstores and shops. Find out more at www.annewhitemysteries.com.

Paul Pines has a second book due to be released this year, a memoir, My Brother's Madness (Curbstone, October 2007). Publishers' Weekly said in a review, "In this gracefully written memoir, poet and novelist (and practicing psychotherapist) Pines narrates his and his younger brother's lives through the matrix of his brother's mental illness."

George J. Bryjak of Saranac Lake has published "The Power of the Dark Goddess and Other Stories" (Myopic Moose Press, August 2007). In addition, two of his short plays, "Stick-Em-Up" and "Going Up?" will be performed at the Rome Community Theater (Rome NY) on October 20th and 21st, 2007.

New ACW member, Nancy W. Scarzello of Hague, NY, recently self published Nature Through the Seasons.

Larry Weill has published Pardon Me, Sir ... There's a Moose in Your Tent (North Country Books) as a sequel to the popular Excuse Me, Sir ... Your Socks are on Fire. It features more stories about the author's experiences as Wilderness Park Ranger in the Adirondacks. www.northcountrybooks.com

Saranac Lake resident, Dr. Emmanuel Bernstein has published The Secret Revolution: A Physchologist's Adventures in Education (Trafford Publishing, Victoria, B.C.). The back cover reads, "It is about great and terrible teachers; about wonderful and dismal schools - about the differences between Education and Schooling."

Paul Pines has his sixth book of poetry coming out in September, 2007. Taxidancing (Ikon Inc., New York, NY) has a section that reflects on the period during which Pines lived on New York's Lower East Side and supported himself as a taxi driver, bar keeper, and owner of the legendary Bowery jazz club, The Tin Palace. Pines now lives in Glens Falls.

Marty Podskoch, has a new book coming out this summer, Adirondack Stories, with tales of famous Adirondack guides, hunters, hermits, hotels, writers, artists, photographers, explorers, lumbering, mining, tanneries, railroads, boats, sports, entertainers, and amusement parks. Podskoch is the author of Adirondack Fire Towers: Their History & Lore (Southern & Northern Districts). He has dozens of presentations on the Civilian Conservation Corps camps of the Adirondacks scheduled for the spring and summer. To view a complete listing, visit www.catskill.net/purple/marty.htm.

The Adirondack Mountain Club’s newest title is Adirondack Alpine Summits: An Ecological Field Guide, by Nancy G. Slack, Ph.D. and Alison W. Bell. Winner of the NYS Outdoor Education Association’s Environmental Impact Award, the book is designed to develop awareness of the fragile terrain on New York’s summits. Available in book and outdoor supply stores, at www.adk.org, and by mail at (800) 395-8080.

Hungry Bear Publishing, Saranac Lake, is releasing two new books this spring. NY State's Mountain Heritage, by Andy Flynn AND Actively Adirondack by Randy Lewis.

The latest installment in The Adirondack Kids® series of children's middle-reader chapter books was recently released (April 2007) and is entitled, The Adirondack Kids® #7 - Mystery of the Missing Moose. Among scheduled appearances in 2007, co-authors Gary and Justin VanRiper will help kick off the summer reading programs for Barnes & Noble in Saratoga Springs and New Hartford and at the Long Lake Public Library. The VanRipers are also among North Country authors/publishers featured in an article on self-publishing in the June 2007 issue of Adirondack Life magazine. For more information, visit www.adirondackkids.com

New ACW member, Rebecca Leonard, has just published Adirondack Nightmare: A Spooky Tale in the North Country, illustrated by Nick Leonard (her son). Targeted towards ages 6-10, this lively quick read takes you through the adventures of William Durant's first away-from-home Halloween camping trip at Raquette Lake. Books may be purchased at www.rebeccaleonard.com. She also keeps a blog at http://rebeccaleonard.blogspot.com/ to chronicle her first venture in self publishing and marketing a book.

John H. Briant has released the latest in his Adirondack Detective Series. Volume V is Adirondack Detective; A New Beginning. Published by Chalet Publishing, PO Box 1154, Old Forge, New York 13420. Books are available from North Country Books, Utica, New York. 295 pages. Retails for $14.95. Briant's successful book series got national attention recently when American Police Beat! magazine featured the author.

The Adirondack Mountain Club published No Place I’d Rather Be: Wit and Wisdom from Adirondack Lean-to Journals by Stuart F. Mesinger. The book uses entries from hikers in Adirondack lean-to journals and weaves in the author’s own anecdotes and experiences. Available at bookstores and at www.adk.org.

Rick Henry, ACW member and associate professor at SUNY Potsdam, recently published Lucy's Eggs: Short Stories and a Novella (Syracuse University Press, 2006). All the stories are set in rural New York at the turn of the 20th Century. For more information, visit www.syracuseuniversitypress.syr.edu

Sally Svenson published Adirondack Churches: A History of Design and Building in 2006. Published by the Adirondack Architectural Heritage (with major support from "Furthermore......" and the Graham Foundation). Steven Engelhart, executive director of Adirondack Architectural Heritage says, "It is scholarly, illuminating, a good read, and explores what appears to be a common subject (churches) in a way that has never been done before, anywhere, to our knowledge."

A North Country Quartet is a new book of poetry written by four northern poets: Alice Wolf Gilborn, the founding editor of Blueline, published in many regional anthologies; Linda Batt, a poet from Dekalb, published in many literary journals; and Lorraine Wilson and Randy Lewis, both published poets from the Tri-Lakes area. From the introduction, by Anthony O. Tyler: "The poets presented in this volume were all known to me through individual poems published in Blueline, the literary journal devoted to the literature of nature and the Adirondacks. These individual poems have been of such quality that I wished to see a larger body of their work, including topics outside the scope of Blueline.... All four poets live or have lived in the North Country of New York for many years. Much of the poetry here reflects this orientation to place...I hope these selections will bring as much enjoyment to the readers as it did to the reviewers." A North Country Quartet is published by Potsdam College Press and distributed by Syracuse University Press. Copies may be ordered through local bookstores or by writing to: Karen Wilson, Blueline, English and Communication, Morey Hall, SUNY Potsdam, Potsdam, NY 13676.

Mike Storey has self-published Why the Adirondacks Look the Way They Do: A Natural History. which is richly illustrated with over 200 maps, photos and drawings. It has become an Adirondack "best-seller" and sold out all of the first printing (2100 copies) in less than a year. The second printing has just arrived, ready to go. The book can be purchased ($16.95) at almost all local bookstores, or get an order form by e-mailing: mjstorey@adelphia.net. Storey will ship (free) a signed copy upon receipt.

Kathleen M. Curry has a new book out by FootHills Publishing of Kanona, New York. Retrieving the Spirit is a small book of poems around the subject of trauma, illness, and disability. Kathleen is a writer and a musician. She writes for four newspapers and took eighth place among thousands of entries in the short story genre of the Writer’s Digest Writing Contest in 2005. She’s at work on another historical novel.

Bob Marshall in the Adirondacks: Writings of a Pioneering Peak-Bagger, Pond-Hopper and Wilderness Preservationist, edited by Phil Brown was released in Fall 2006. The book includes more than 40 writings about the Adirondacks authored by Bob Marshall, wilderness advocate. The anthology also contains three articles by his brother, George Marshall as well as articles by historian Philip G. Terrie, legendary conservationist Paul Schaefer and Adirondack Explorer editor Phil Brown, plus a humorous ode to peak-bagging by Bill McKibben. Available beginning in late October at www.LostPondPress.com

ACW member, Irene Uttendorfsky's new children's book, Adirondack Mouse and the Perilous Journey, has been released by Spruce Gulch Press. It can be purchased online at Amazon.com. More information is available at her web site

New ACW member, Allison M. G. Follos has published Reviving Reading: School Library Programming, Author Visits and Books that Rock. Allison is the librarian at the North Country School in Lake Placid, NY.

North Country Public Radio correspondant, Brian Mann, has his first book out, Welcome to the Homeland. More information available at www.welcometothehomeland.com

John Briant has recently produced another book in his Adirondack Detective series, this one is titled Adirondack Detective Goes West, published by Chalet Publishing in September 2005.

Donna Rae Gelder has a new children's book out, Tommy's Forest Hike, published by Trafford Publishing.

Pete Klein has recently published a horror novel, The Dancing Valkyrie, which is available online at Amazon.com and will soon be available on both Borders and Barnes & Noble.

Andy Flynn's second volume of New York State's Mountain Heritage: Adirondack Attic is now available. Self-published through Hungry Bear Publishing (www.hungrybearpublishing.com), Saranac Lake. To order a copy go to (518) 891-5559, www.hungrybearpublishing.com

Ann Breen Metcalfe's new Adirondack novel, Trout Lake (iUniverse, Inc., 2005) is now available. You can order a copy on Amazon.com

Mason Smith's self-published novel, Florida, is also now available, to obtain a copy go to www.adirondackgoodboat.com/florida or call (518)624-6398.

The updated (and greatly anticipated) Adirondack Reader, will be out this July, published by ADK and edited by Neal Burdick.

George Drew's second book, The Horse's Name was Physics, will be published by Word Tech Communications in spring, 2006

Breaking Trail: Remarkable Women of the Adirondacks.
The accomplishments of Adirondack women have remained unknown and unsung for too long. No longer! Peggy Lynn is singing songs about Lydia and others, proclaiming "Mountain women can be heroes." Sandra Weber is digging through archives and recovering pieces of women's history. Now Peggy and Sandra have joined together to present the stories of remarkable Adirondack women --- women who display courage, intelligence, fortitude, and backcountry buffoonery.

Published by Purple Mountain Press, Breaking Trail: Remarkable Women of the Adirondacks presents the exploits of twenty-five women---historical and contemporary---who have lived in or had experiences in the Adirondacks. "We did not select the women because they were pretty or rich or proper ladies," says Sandra Weber. "Most of them did not accept the status quo. They often bent the rules and battled public opinion as they were breaking trail for others."

Esther Combs, Matilda Fielding, and Grace Hudowalski challenged the mountain terrain; Mary Brown, Inez Milholland, and Alice Green challenged social injustices. Some women bolstered a community or nurtured children or animals while others pursued careers: Katherine McClellan as photographer, Jeanne Robert Foster as model and poet, Emily Neville as writer and lawyer, and Orra Phelps as doctor and scientist. Mother Johnson simply had fun flipping pancakes. These women will make readers sob and chuckle --- and reconsider Adirondack history.

Marvelous illustrations and photographs complement the stories. In addition, lyrics to several of Peggy Lynn's songs are included in the book.

Peggy Lynn first came to the Adirondacks to study forestry at Paul Smith's College. Since then, she has recorded seven albums and has been a full-time singer, songwriter and arts educator for the last 16 years. She performs extensively throughout the Adirondacks in civic concert series, museums, libraries, at the New York State Visitor Interpretive Centers and at Great Camp Sagamore. She has been named "Woman of the Year" by the Adirondack Business and Professional Women's Association and a "Women of Distinction" by the Adirondack Girl Scout Council.

Like several women in this book, Sandra Weber first came to the Adirondacks to go hiking. Along the trail she discovered the amazing natural and social history of the region. She now lives part-time in an old log cabin in Elizabethtown and is a full-time writer. Her previous books included histories of Mount Marcy, Mount Jo and Heart Lake, and Esther Mountain. She has also written articles for Adirondack Life, Adirondack Explorer, Adirondac, NYS Conservationist, Pennsylvania Magazine, Cobblestone Magazine, Highlights For Children, and other publications.

Breaking Trail: Remarkable Women of the Adirondacks is available for $18.00 at bookstores and gift shops or from the publisher, Purple Mountain Press, 1-800-325-2665. The authors will be presenting a program, Mountain Women Can Be Heroes, throughout the Adirondacks and New York State.

Adirondack Center for Writing
Paul Smith's College, PO Box 265
Paul Smiths, New York 12970
Phone: 518-327-6278
Fax: 518-327-6161
Email: acw@paulsmiths.edu